“…according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20, NASB95)

So, what does it take for God to be exalted and glorified through our lives? Does it take success? Money? Powerful acts of healing? Great acts of mercy? No! It takes one soul willing to be used by God for His bidding. As Paul wrote these words he was in prison. He knew that he could be near the end. And what he had learned was that God can work through anyone at any time as long as he or she is willing to be worked through. No matter what circumstance Paul found himself in, he saw kingdom potential. He knew that if he kept his head and heart right God could use him in all circumstances. And that is exactly what God did. God worked through Paul as a preacher to the Jews and an evangelist to the Gentiles. He testified to Jesus in synagogues and in streets, on shipwrecked islands and on trial. Paul understood that even in his death God could be exalted and glorified.

What about you and me? What situation and circumstance do we find ourselves in? Are we saying to ourselves, “If I could just get out of this situation and into that situation then God could use me”? Are we thinking that God can’t use us because we are in the midst of trials, pain and suffering? I promise you that this is when He can use us the most. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12 that “God’s grace is sufficient … for when I am weak, then I am strong.” God seems to shine best through us when we are faithfully experiencing tough times. The people around us see how faithfully God provides grace and mercy in our time of need.

May God be exalted and glorified no matter what our current situation is!